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Dina Esfandiary, a research fellow at the Centre for Science and Security Studies at King's College London, says neither side is politically ready for that kind of commitment.

However, some tactical co-ordination has proved successful in battling IS, she told AAP.

Similarly, Esfandiary thinks there's little the foreign minister can do to help advance a nuclear agreement, as Iran seeks relief from damaging trade sanctions in exchange for stepping back from some aspects of its nuclear program.

All Bishop could do is further stress the economic benefits of opening up, something which the Rouhani administration is already well aware of, Esfandiary says.

Australia has imposed some trade and political sanctions against Iran, one of its most important wheat export destinations.

Last year, it dropped a three-decade ban to resume shipments of live cattle and sheep.

Esfandiary says while Australia's involvement in the sanctions regime may have damaged its standing among Iranian hardliners, the Rouhani administration is pragmatic and knows that Australia's policies have been in line with other Western states.

"As long as the sanctions are progressively removed once a nuclear agreement is signed, there is no reason for Iran to bear a grudge against Canberra," she said.

Regardless, before she's even stepped foot in Tehran, Bishop's trip is already significant.

She will not only be the first Australian minister to visit for more than a decade, but also believed to be the first senior western official to do so in that period.

Much of her pending trip has been overshadowed by revelations Bishop will try to persuade Iran to take back its failed asylum seekers.

Iran has been unwilling to accept reluctant returnees and Australia has been unable to enforce their departure.

The last official to have visited Iran and successfully convinced them to do so says it's an ideal time to resume those talks.

Howard government immigration minister Philip Ruddock struck an agreement with Iran to repatriate 190 of its reluctant nationals.

The veteran Liberal figure says Australia has demonstrated in the past that it can be positive in its dialogue with Iran, in what amounts to "second-level diplomacy".

"I was able to talk to Iranian government members at a time when the US was perhaps more restrictive and people knew where we came from," he said.

"Sometimes we can have a positive role in engaging with states that often have different objectives."

Human rights advocates want Bishop to raise more sensitive topics - from the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, discrimination against women to executions, including of child offenders.

Whether she adds that to her plate, as Ruddock says, the foreign minister has already many matters in her hands.